Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Cairngorms National Park and Monadhliath. Also includes the Ben Alder area hills between Loch Ericht and Loch Laggan.
Wednesday's Forecast
Moderate breeze, locally gusty
A noticeable breeze, feeling cool where exposed on tops. Locally may be gusty, but unlikely to affect walking progress. 15-25mph.
Patchwork of cloud and sun
Dry most or all day. A mix of cloud and sunshine. Occasional cloud banks drifting over higher slopes, lifting above the tops.
Cool to mild
Air temperature 5 to 10C on higher terrain. Comfortable temperatures on lower terrain, but feeling chilly if exposed to wind higher up, especially if stationary. Pack extra layers.
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Moderate breeze, locally gusty
A noticeable breeze, feeling cool where exposed on tops. Locally may be gusty, but unlikely to affect walking progress. 15-25mph.
Patchwork of cloud and sun
Dry most or all day. A mix of cloud and sunshine. Occasional cloud banks drifting over higher slopes, lifting above the tops.
Cool to mild
Air temperature 5 to 10C on higher terrain. Comfortable temperatures on lower terrain, but feeling chilly if exposed to wind higher up, especially if stationary. Pack extra layers.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Wednesday 2nd September 2026
Last updated
Tue 1st Sep 26 at
4:30PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Much of the Highlands sees a fine day with fairly light winds; a veil of high cloud tends to thicken, risk of some rain later. S Scotland & N England has more cloud, some rain. Heavier rain moves across Wales into Peak District, followed by showers on a strong southwesterly wind, quite humid.
Headline for Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Dry most or all day; sun and high cloud, breezier later.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Westerly 15mph at dawn, soon variable below 10mph for much of morning. Trending southeasterly and rising a little into afternoon to 20mph, by evening 30mph, from dusk 35mph, turning southwesterly 35-45mph into night.
Effect of the wind on you?
Mostly small until well into afternoon, then some more noticeable gusty areas develop and becoming more widely blustery late in day, starting to affect ease of walking, deteriorating further into night.
How Wet?
Dry most or all day, some rain later
Likely most or all daytime dry. Into later evening and night, some rain then encroaching from the southwest, risk turning persistent near Drumochter, may be fairly patchy further northeast.
Cloud on the hills?
Lifting to high terrain with summit breaks for a time
Varied patchy cloud in the morning, lifting to mostly above 900m and increasingly breaking up, particularly north. Some cloud clings to high slopes south of high Cairngorms, and later filling in extensively from the south and tending to lower particularly by evening.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
70%, later dropping from the south.
Sunshine and air clarity?
Sun weak through a veil of high cloud which tends to thicken from the southwest. Visibility very good much of day, some early patchy mist into glens.
How Cold? (at 900m)
5C rising to 9C, staying elevated into night and possibly rising slightly.
Freezing Level
Above the summits. Some sheltered glens may start with slight grass frost at dawn.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Thursday 3rd September 2026
Last updated
Tue 1st Sep 26 at
4:30PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly between 35 to 45mph, somewhat variable but sometimes stronger, to 50-55mph over highest tops.
Effect of the wind on you?
Strenuous-to-arduous walking most of the day, challenging moments on highest tops with significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Occasional rain, more often dry
Some early drizzle on high terrain fades, then a little patchy rain drifting onto hills near Drumochter from time to time, more often dry. A few afternoon hours will see more frequent rain, some heavier falls in west.
Cloud on the hills?
Breaking off the summits
Fairly extensive above 800m in the morning, varied lower banks mostly west. Soon rising, breaking up with time, most summits seeing extended clear windows, though cloud will lower onto the tops again for a few afternoon hours.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
Rising to 80%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Often sunny, some patchy cloud and likely cloudier for a few afternoon hours. Very good visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
8 or 9C, rising a degree easternmost hills. Feeling below freezing in strongest wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Friday 4th September 2026
Last updated
Tue 1st Sep 26 at
4:30PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwest then westerly, 40 to 55mph, at times 60mph higher summits, stronger gusts over Cairngorm plateau 70mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Arduous to difficult walking conditions, frequent buffeting knocking you off balance on exposed terrain. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Intermittent rain, mostly west
Pulses of rain spreading from the west at times, locally steadier with showery moments mixed in for areas near/west of the A9. Patchier eastwards.
Cloud on the hills?
Mostly higher tops, some breaks
Varying over high terrain often above 900-1000m, some lower banks in rain in the west to 800m or lower for a time. Breaks more often toward 1200m furthest east.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30% west to 60% east.
Sunshine and air clarity?
Fairly cloudy, occasional sun mostly east. Visibility often good, but reduced at times in rain, mostly in west.
How Cold? (at 900m)
7C, little change all day. Directly in the wind, feeling like -5C.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Planning Outlook
A series of weather systems moves in from the Atlantic this week and next to bring spells of rain and showers, accompanied by frequently strong to gale force mountain winds. A window of better weather is likely this Saturday for Scotland and northern England, but further rain is expected to move into Wales, which then extends north by Saturday night and Sunday, possibly widely heavy rain and a risk of more powerful upland gales developing over Scotland into Sunday. Temperatures will vary, mildest toward the south, but some cooler air moves in from the north at times bringing higher Scottish tops close to freezing point.